How to Keep Your Workforce Agile

An agile workforce is the only way to succeed in the future of work.

The employees you hire today may soon have to perform jobs that don’t even exist yet. That’s a challenge when entire groups of their workers need to be retrained, moved or otherwise be adaptable to change. The rapid pace of technological change is also shaping workforce agility to now emphasize leveraging the best blend of people and technology.

A workforce is agile when it can quickly shift amid the forces of change--An agile workforce is defined as “the division of tasks into short phases of work and frequent reassessment and adaptation of plans.” For employers, having and keeping an agile workforce is worth its weight in gold. Here are ways that organizations can take an agile approach to workforce planning:

Develop for the long term 

It takes significant resources to recruit, onboard and train employees from an external source. And even then, there’s no guarantee that person will work out. Proactively identify individuals early on to nurture and develop into leadership roles. Consider implementing a development program to help boost the internal talent pipeline for the future and move quickly when you need to fill a top role.  

Help staff with their own goals 

Helping move talented individuals up in the organization can mean that others need to move around or out of the organization. This could mean helping people find relevant lateral moves in the business that aligns with everyone’s goals. It could also mean helping people explore their opportunities outside the organization—from furthering their education, to a change in industry, or even retirement. Agile workforce means helping everyone achieve their career and personal goals.

Increase employee engagement

An agile workforce is an engaged workforce – one that is ready to jump at opportunities. A simple management tweak can help increase engagement, with 82% of today’s employees saying they would be more engaged in their work if managers conducted meaningful career conversations with them on a regular basis. Through the implementation of an effective career management strategy, organizations will create a more engaged workforce and a more agile business.

Because the global digital revolution is changing the landscape, business leaders cannot be certain about what may be around the corner, which is why investing in keeping an agile workforce now is more important than ever. Agile businesses will have an advantage – and keep an advantage – as the world of work continues to change.